Romania electricity consumption drops as solar production rises

Data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS) shows that electricity consumption in Romania fell by 11.3% for the population during the first eight months of 2026 compared to the previous year. Total electricity consumption across the economy decreased by 4%, while public lighting saw a 14.2% reduction. This decline in household usage is attributed to concerns over high energy bills.

Despite lower consumption, total electricity production in Romania rose slightly to 34.342 billion kWh. There have been significant shifts in energy sources: hydroelectric production increased by 13.5% and solar energy production rose significantly. Conversely, nuclear energy production dropped by 21.5% and thermal power production decreased by 5.1%.

In a related development regarding renewable energy policy, the Casa Verde program is set to undergo changes in 2026. Subsidies for photovoltaic panels will be eliminated, with available funds being redirected exclusively toward the purchase of energy storage batteries to improve grid stability and manage fluctuating renewable energy supply.